Top Picks: Blushes

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post. Read more...

Les Fards a Joues - Blush Swatchfest

Hello everyone. I have previously featured a post on swatches and mini reviews of my foundations so I thought of doing the same with something prettier and what else could be prettier than blushes? Well, it's the blush, at least for me. Anyway, here are the swatches and the mini review or perhaps just a description of each shade.

In order of swatches:

1. Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 5 - while this looks dark and scary, it turns to a nice berry flush on the cheeks that fair-light skinned individuals may easily overdo. I think those with medium-tan-dark skin tones may find this to work better on them.
2. Paul & Joe Bambi from the Disney Collection - this is such a nice coral-orange shade which would look nice on summer. These are balls but I crushed one so the pigment will show up better.
3. Shu Uemura Glow On P Pink 30 - one of the more pigmented pink blushes that I have. This appears as a blue-based pink on me though it looks peach-pink to some. Applies with a beautiful sheen and gives a nice glow on the cheeks.
4. Kanebo Coffret D'Or Cheek Color PK-22 - prior to loving pink blushes, I very much prefer coral and more pigmented ones. This made me appreciate and eventually fall for the beauty of sheer pink blushes. This is a no-brainer blush for me which I grab on days when I can't decide which blush to wear. It also does not hurt that this is by far, the best texture in a blush I have ever tried - the silkiest and most finely milled that applies very smoothly on the skin.
5. Becca Cosmetics Mineral Blush Flowerchild - I have long given up on NARS Orgasm, Deep Throat, and such shades but this blush, I have to say, is like a hybrid of both Orgasm and Deep Throat, only with a better texture and a prettier subtle, golden sheen to it. It's not as shimmery as both NARS blushes too. If this is without shimmer, this would look like how I naturally flush.
6. Burberry Beauty Light Glow Blush 04 Peony - while I was utterly disappointed with Burberry Blossom, this one made me want to shriek when I first saw it. This is such a delicate and feminine pink that makes me feel girly-girl every time I wear this. I also could not stop swatching it because it is such a beautiful shade of pink - one of the prettiest I have ever seen. This may not entirely be a unique shade but I love it.
7. Chanel Joues Contraste Tea Rose  - this is the oldest blush in my stash and my first ever blush from a luxury brand as well. This is a nice peach-pink blush that turns to a nice rosy pink shade once on my cheeks. The texture isn't the silkiest but I like how it blends beautifully on my skin. It is also a no-brainer blush for me. I'm happy to report that it is no longer dome-shaped and it's getting flat, which only means that I have been using it a lot.
8. Laura Mercier Baby Pink - this is one of my least-used blushes because it's pretty bulky to bring along since this comes from the Colour Classics Face Palette with six eyeshadows and another shade of blush. It is a pretty pale pink shade which I finally got to appreciate ever since my affinity with pink blushes started. Will try to use this more often.
9. Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 2 - it's almost the same as the Blushing Fabric 5, only a tad lighter and has more pink in it. Same great texture, feels nice on the skin but if you're allergic to silicone, you may want to test it out first. It reminds me so much of the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer but this does not break me out which is odd but good. This lasts for hours on my combination-oily skin too. 
10. Becca Cosmetics Beach Tint Guava - a gorgeous coral-pink shade that smells nice too. It just requires a lot of shaking as the pigment tends to separate from the oil but once blended, it's a nice product to use. You get only 7mL in a tiny tube so you may want to use it sparingly. Other than that, I like it a lot for my cheeks. On the lips, it is really drying so it somehow comforts me that I would use less of this product and the mini tube will last me a few months. :)
11. Shu Uemura Glow On M Pink 30 - a nice matte pink blush with a strong peach tone in it which still gives a glow on the cheeks. Chalky at first but with a little blending, you get a lovely colour on the cheeks that can go well with any makeup. 
12. Skinfood Sugar Cookie Blush Winter Cherry - I was expecting a darker shade because of the word "cherry" but I assume that winter made it pale; thus, the light shade that is very reminiscent of NARS Orgasm (again and it baffles me why most companies come up with shades that look like Orgasm), only lighter. Texture is kinda hard and does not blend very well on the skin. As I type this, this blush is no longer with me but I thought it'd be fair to include a review of this since there is a swatch of it.
13. Benefit Cosmetics Bella Bamba - I really wanted to love this watermelon pink blush from Benefit but in as much as I dig the colour, the shimmers are just too much for my liking. And if I have to dust powder over it just to get rid of the shimmers, which will take a few seconds up to a minute to buff it, then it's not something I am willing to deal with on an everyday basis. But really, this is such a pretty shade and if shimmers are your thing, you might very well like this blush.
14. Guerlain Blush 4 Eclats 05 Rose Plein Vent - this is the blush that took me 4 months before I finally used it simply because it was too gorgeous for me to ruin the design. Then again, I purchased a blush that I can use and not simply stare at so I ended up using it. When you swirl the four colours together, it gives you a nice peach-pink shade with just a tad hint of beige with a very fine gold sheen. It is so smooth to the touch, it almost feels like butter that melts on your skin. It has a strong scent so those who are sensitive to scented blushes may want to give this a sniff before heading to the counter.
15. Shu Uemura Glow on K6 from the Aya Takano Reindeer XXXX Kiss Palette - another pink shade for me! It is a sheer medium pink shade with blue tones that looks really pretty and dainty on the cheeks. Just like the other glow ons, it imparts a natural and lovely glow on the cheeks. Unfortunately, I don't get to use this much because it is in a palette with 3 eye shadows and 2 creme products but I promise to use this more often so I decided to bring this whenever it is scheduled for use.
16. Laura Mercier Plum Blush - this is the least used blush in my stash. It is also in the compact together with Baby Pink and this also happens to be the least flattering shade on me. I appear like my cheeks have been slapped several times and bruised. Plum just isn't my colour. I just couldn't get rid of it since it is in a palette. Others may like it but it's definitely not for me.

I can say that with these blushes, I am a happy camper. I am pleased with the shades I have, though most are pinks, and I get to finally use them all! I enjoyed making swatches and I hope you ended up liking something. :)

I hope you're all spending a good time with your family this Holy Week.

Cheers,

Read more...

March Goodies

What nicer way could perk up a sick makeup lover like me than to receive goodies when you're stuck in bed, sneezing and coughing your heart out, looking like a red-nosed reindeer on a rainy day? That'd definitely perk and cheer me up. I was handed a few goodies that I got way back December last year from Apothica and the mailman also arrived to hand me something. I decided to just post almost all the goodies I have acquired for the whole month of March before the month ends in 2 days so you'll definitely see some products that have already been featured on previous posts. So I'd like to share what cheered me up on a gloomy, bed weather afternoon-evening.

1. Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Second Skin Nude Makeup 2
2. MAC Blot Pressed Powder in Medium
3. Burberry Light Glow Blush in 04 Peony (which replaced Blossom which I also purchased this month)
4. Becca Mineral Blush in Flowerchild
5. Becca Beach Tint in Guava
6. Benefit Bella Bamba Mini
7. Skinfood Sugar Cookie Blush in Winter Cherry
8. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Rose Dahlia
9. Clinique Happy
10. Caudalie Paris Lip Balm
11. The Balm Down Boy Blush/Shadow (not in picture)
12. Burberry Light Glow Blush in 05 Blossom
13. Random samples from Phytomer, Ahava, Nuxe, and Skinfood.

More reviews to follow then. :)

Happy Thursday evening, super awesome peeps! :)

Cheers,

Read more...

In the Limelight: Burberry Light Glow Blush in 05 Blossom - A Product Review

One of the blushes I have been lemming for over a year now is a gorgeous coral-peach with a touch of pink shade from Burberry Beauty which is the Light Glow Blush in 05 Blossom. I've been wanting to own one for the longest time but have set aside the lemming for other blushes from other brands. Then I became torn between Blossom and one of the more popular shades from the same brand which is 04 Peony as I have been growing a certain fondness for pink blushes lately. But when I was given the chance to try and finally own Blossom, I did not let the chance go so before I digress and start to babble about the time when Blossom and I met for the first time, I will now let you know my thoughts on this blush.

This is what Nordstrom says about Burberry Light Glow Blushes:

Get a bright and radiant finish with warm glowing skin, reminiscent of the freshness of a spring morning.

Formula: This airy micro-powder ensures rich shades. Silicones provide an easy glide.
Benefits: An effortlessly natural fresh complexion and a healthy glow.

Protection: Provides moisturizing benefits.

How to use: Apply Burberry Light Glow on the hollow of your cheek to slim face, or apply it at the top of the cheek to highlight the face.
Includes protective fabric pouch debossed with Burberry check.
By Burberry.

What I like:

• I'll start with the packaging. This is by far the classiest and chic packaging I've ever seen in a blush - even beats Guerlain and Chanel by a mile - at least for me. The blush is housed in a gunmetal case with the classic Burberry check design that simply looks sleek. It comes with a velvet pouch with the same check design and a big mirror with a brush for quick touch ups. *Kinabog sina Chanel at Guerlain*
• The moment I opened the blush, I fell in love right away. It was love at first sight, swatch, and try. Blossom is a gorgeous coral-peach shade with a tinge of pink. It has got to be one of the prettiest coral shades I have ever seen. It somehow looks similar to Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful, just a tad prettier. 
• The texture is smooth and satiny, completely expected from a high end brand.
• Staying power is pretty decent and lasts for a few hours on my skin. Say 4-5 hours?
• Does not irritate my skin at all, no allergic reactions either.
• Has a shelf life of 3 years which gives me the chance to stray and eventually go back to it.

What I don't like:

• For something so sublime, it utterly disappoints me that it oxidizes on me so bad that from a lovely coral-pink on my cheeks (upon application), it turns to a ridiculously repugnant rusty-orange/brown shade. I have never experienced any blush turning that way on me even though most oxidizes on my skin due to my being acidic.
• Burberry Beauty is not locally available so you have to purchase it abroad or have a good soul purchase it for you instead.
• The blush is scented and some may find it a bit overwhelming. Surprisingly, though, my nose can tolerate it.

Overall rating: 3/5 I could not totally give it a lower than low rating since it is not completely the blush's fault that it turns that bad on me but I also couldn't totally blame myself as I have never gotten such a reaction from other blushes. I tried to make this work but it just won't.

Will I buy again? Not this shade. I have recently purchased the other shade which is 04 Peony which turns out to be a lot better than this one.

 

And this is how it initially looks on me when freshly applied. Give it just a few minutes to turn appalling on me. I have no decent shot wearing this due to the reaction. And pardon the face, I was not wearing any makeup aside from the blush and a tinted lip balm.

Have you tried Burberry blushes? Will you purchase this shade? :)

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Cheers,

Read more...